37193 - Histology and Embryology 2 (L-Z)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is also able to address specific biomedical questions on the cellular and ultrastructural level in relation to regulatory mechanisms and their alterations. In particular, the student acquires preliminary skills that favour an interdisciplinary approach necessary to the further study of evidence-based medicine.

Course contents

Generalities on the cell. Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. Shape and size of the various cytotypes. Relationship between morphology and function.
Plasma membrane and cytosol, cytoskeleton, junction apparatuses.
Hints of gametogenesis. Mature gametes. Fertilisation and zygote formation. Concept of totipotency.
First week of development. Segmentation. From morula to blastocyst.
Second week of development. Preparation for implantation (endometrium and corpus luteum). Implantation: adhesion, invasion, decidual reaction, immune tolerance, nesting. Syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast. Epiblast and hypoblast. Formation of the amniotic cavity and yolk sac. Formation of the extra-embryonic mesoderm and chorionic cavity.
Third week of development. Initial stages of gastrulation and formation of the three leaflets and their derivatives.
Histogenesis. Stem cells and the concept of differentiation.
General organisation of the different tissues: classification and general characteristics.

1)Epithelial tissues: generalities and classification. Coating epithelia: classification and morpho-functional aspects. Secreting epithelia: synthesis of macromolecules for export.
Aspects of the internal membranous system (REL, RER, Golgi apparatus, vesicles). Endocytosis, exocytosis and secretion.
Exocrine secretory tissue: classification and morpho-functional aspects.
Endocrine secretory tissue: classification and morpho-functional aspects.

2)Tissues of mesenchymal origin. General characteristics of the extracellular matrix: structure, composition and remodelling of the matrix.

Embryonic connective tissue or mesenchyme.
Connective cells (fixed cells and migrating cells).
Lysosomes and Peroxisomes.
Adult connective tissue proper.
Adipose tissue. Mitochondria.
Trophic and defence connective tissues. The blood: figured elements and plasma. Haemopoietic tissue: outline of the mechanisms of haemopoiesis. Lymphoid tissue. Cells and organs of the lymphatic system. Notes on immunity.
Supporting connective tissues. Cartilage tissue: cellular components, extracellular matrix, classification and chondrogenesis.Bone tissue: organisation and classification, cellular components and extracellular matrix, matrix mineralisation. Osteogenesis and remodelling.

3) Muscle tissue: classification. Morpho-functional aspects of striated skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle tissue.4) Nervous tissue: cellular components (neurons and glial cells).Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Axon flow, synapse structure and myelin sheath. Morpho-functional aspects of neuroglia.


Gastrulation in detail (third week of development): formation of the embryonic leaflets (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm), notochordal process and notochord, evolution of the mesoderm, neural plate, neural tube and neural crests.


Events of the fourth week of development: completion of neurulation, final fate of the ectoderm, folding of the embryo, beginning of organogenesis.

Derivatives of the three embryonic leaflets and hints of organogenesis.

Embryo-fetal annexes: yolk sac, allantois, amnion, placenta and umbilical cord.


PLEASE NOTE: All material presented in the lecture will be put online on the online teaching platform (VIRTUAL).

Details on cell organelles are considered basic knowledge, so only those aspects useful for a good understanding of the functional aspects of tissues will be covered in the lecture.


Histology and Embryology are not two disciplines that are independent of each other, but well-articulated, and therefore an attempt will be made to make their level of integration understood as far as possible. For this reason, the topics will not be expounded with the trivial time scansion shown in the book index, but in a coordinated manner.

Readings/Bibliography

Armato U. ed altri autori EMBRIOLOGIA UMANA Ed. Idelson-Gnocchi

De Felice M. ed altri autori EMBRIOLOGIA UMANA Ed. Piccin

Moore K.L. Embriologia. L'essenziale. Before we are born. Ed. PICCIN

Sadler T.W. EMBRIOLOGIA MEDICA di Langman Ed Elsevier

Barbieri M., Carinci P. EMBRIOLOGIA Ed. CEA

Teaching methods

The course consists of 2 CFUs of lectures in Embryology, which are intended to enable students to acquire the topics described in detail in the program.


In view of the type of activity and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires the prior participation of all students in modules 1 and 2 of safety training in the workplace, [https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/] in e-learning mode.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of a preliminary practical test in which the lecturer will test the candidate's ability to recognise histological preparations. Failure to achieve a pass mark will preclude continuation of the examination. The oral test will cover topics in Cytology, Histology and Embryology according to the published syllabus for Histology and Embryology 1 and Histology and Embryology 2. Failure in even one of the three subjects is not permitted. In the event of a negative result in the oral test, the candidate will have the option of maintaining the result achieved in the practical test or alternatively taking it again. The grade for the practical test remains valid until the December 2023 roll call. The final grade, as decided by the committee, will take into account the weighted average of the results achieved. Registration on Almaesami is mandatory.

Grading of marks:


Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to analyse emerging only with the help of the lecturer, expression in overall correct language → 18-19;
Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to analyse independently only on purely executive issues, expression in correct language → 20-24;
Preparation on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make autonomous critical analysis choices, mastery of specific terminology → 25-29;
Substantially comprehensive preparation on the topics addressed in the course, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and linking, full command of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflect → 30-30L.

 

 

Teaching tools

The  materials  presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format. Students will be able to access the material used during lessons via the online lecture support platform.

Office hours

See the website of Catia Giovannini